There is a unique group on the LSU football field known as the “Wild Tigers.”
 
It’s neither the offense nor the defense — it’s the special teams unit, and the return game in particular has made an impact for LSU this season.
 
It’s impossible to ignore the production of junior cornerback Patrick Peterson, who is No. 3 in the nation and No. 1 in the Southeastern Conference with 23.6 yards per punt return (12 returns for 283 yards).
 
Peterson has also scored twice by punt return  he is tied for No. 1 in the country with two touchdowns through five games this season.
 
LSU sophomore wide receiver Rueben Randle also returns punts for the Tigers (two returns for 10 yards), and junior cornerback Ron Brooks is involved in the kickoff return game (three for 87 yards).
Sophomore cornerback Morris Claiborne and redshirt freshman safety Craig Loston also each have one kickoff return for 25  and 12 yards, respectively.
 
Randle said one thing that distinguishes LSU’s special teams unit from others is its personnel.
 
“We put all our best players on special teams, and that’s a key for us,” Randle said.   “A lot of teams don’t put starters on special teams, so they don’t get as much productivity as we do.”
 
LSU is No. 4 in the nation and No. 2 in the SEC in punt return average with 21 yards per return (14 returns for 293 yards).
 
In kickoff returns, the Tigers are No. 22 in the country and No. 4 in the SEC with an average of 25.2 yards per return (15 returns for 378 yards).
 
Peterson’s electric performances are not all the special teams unit has to offer, special teams coach Joe Robinson said.
 
“When you start talking about coverage, it is talent, but it’s also just desire,” Robinson said. “We’ve got some guys who run downfield hard, use their speed and athleticism and have fun doing it. We call them the ‘Wild Tigers.'”
 
Robinson said the punt return unit has a nickname of its own — “The Bandits.”
 
“With the punts, it’s guys who spend a lot of time out there judging the ball,” Robinson said. “Punts tend to move around a lot on them and are tougher to catch because there is a lot of height on them.”
 
Peterson is LSU’s major name on punt returns, and he is also a factor in kick returns with a 28.2 yard average (254 yards on nine returns).
 
But Robinson said Randle is a newly uncovered weapon in the return game.
 
“I didn’t realize what a good returner Rueben was when he first got here,” Robinson said. “He’s really worked hard and brings ball security.”
 
Brooks has been returning punts and kicks since he was 5 years old, and he got the opportunity to return kicks with the Tigers.
 
Brooks made a splash on special teams in the season opener against North Carolina, returning the second-half kickoff 50 yards to the UNC 45-yard line. In the same game, Peterson broke the LSU record for combined return yards with 257.
 
“My first thought is I’m trying to see if it’s coming to me,” Brooks said. “If not, then I’m going to make the block. If I know the ball is coming to me, my thing is trying to hit the seam as fast as I can and take it to the end zone.”
 
Robinson agreed Brooks has been a welcome addition to the kickoff return game, and opposing teams are not necessarily safer kicking off to Brooks away from Peterson.
 
“Ron has played the cross kick when they kick away from Patrick,” Robinson said. “We’re very fortunate because we can use Ron to block, and he’s very physical. He’s an explosive, tough, instinctive guy.”
 
 
 
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Contact Rachel Whittaker at [email protected]